Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

Bringing WiFi Routers Out of the Shadows

What’s interesting, then, is recent data from Parks Associates that showed what a massive opportunity the industry has when it comes to pushing the latest in in-home WiFi technology. While roughly 70 percent of U.S. broadband households have a home network router, according to Parks, only 11 percent are using a whole-home WiFi mesh-networking product. Further, only 22 percent are using any kind of WiFi network extender to improve coverage throughout their home.

“Mesh network systems, also referred to as ‘whole-home Wi-Fi’ by makers and retailers, are designed to maximize Wi-Fi coverage and performance in the home. They can replace the home Wi-Fi routers and network extenders that are commonly provided by broadband providers today,” Kristen Hanich, Senior Analyst at Parks Associates, said in a statement. “With WiFi the dominant method of connection in the home, having a strong signal is necessary for proper function of the multiple connected CE and smart home products consumers are buying. There is still plenty of room to grow for mesh networking products.”

From the article "Bringing WiFi Routers Out of the Shadows" by Rob Stott.

Previously In The News

As ‘Game of Thrones’ Returns, Is Sharing Your HBO Password O.K.?

The effect on the companies’ bottom lines remains unclear, but a study by Parks Associates, a research group, found that sharing cost the streaming video industry $500 million in 2015. One reason t...

Smart thermostats are tough sell, but ComEd hopes rebates boost interest

A study released this month by Parks Associates found only 18 percent of consumers would buy a smart thermostat at $250, but offering a $100 rebate more than doubled the pool of interested buyers....

Comcast and Charter face a grim new reality: actual competition

“Across the nation, all sorts of internet service providers have gained two new competitors,” says Kristen Hanich, the research director for Parks Associates, referring to T-Mobile and Verizon. “They...

Too Much TV? Enter HBO Max, the Latest Streaming Wannabe

“People are going to look at the price point first,” said Steve Nason, research director at Parks Associates. HBO Max costs $15, same as the HBO Now streaming service it's supposed to replace, with di...